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Smartphones are one of the most common gadgets in the tech world, and at this point, seemingly everyone has one in their pockets. However, a cell phone is only as useful as its battery level. Of course, simply connecting a phone to a charger will jump-start the process of juicing the battery back up, but when you're pressed for time, you need a more speedy option for getting your phone to 100%.
There are plenty of guides available for battery conservation, but perhaps you didn't know that you can also manipulate how quickly your battery charges. These are tips for doing just that, and they might even prove useful in situations where you're crunched for time.
Simply switching on airplane mode is one of the most simple ways to increase your charger's efficiency. As your phone remains powered throughout the day, it's constantly using services in the background such as your cellular reception and communication, radio, Bluetooth, and WiFi. These features operate in the background virtually at all times, slowly chiseling away at your battery life. The same is true even while your device is charging. In other words, leaving these services on can slow down the charging process considerably.
Airplane mode can be toggled in essentially the same way on all types of devices. Whether you're using iOS, Android, or a Windows phone, navigate to your settings up and turn on Airplane Mode from there. You can also do this by swiping either down or up on the home screen and using the quick access button for Airplane Mode. You'll know your device is officially in Airplane Mode when you see the tiny airplane indicator towards the top of the screen.
Keep in mind that while in airplane mode, you won't be able to use any applications that require WiFi or network internet access. Additionally, you won't be able to call or text. You should only use this trick if you really need a faster charge and don't mind being disconnected for a bit.
Related: iPhone battery dies fast and how to fix it
Always use the charger that came packaged with your phone, simply because the adapter and cord will be specifically optimized for your device. Additionally, wall charging will always be more powerful than USB charging via your computer or car charger. If you no longer have your stock charger or can't find it, a 3rd party charger will probably still be faster than USB charging.
Note: In some cases, 3rd party chargers can be hazardous due to the way they are commonly designed. If you can help it, skip the off-brand charger and use one that is designed specifically for your phone by the same brand.
Sometimes, you might be left with no other choice but to resort to USB charging, and it's true that it's better than nothing. However, USB ports, like those on computers and laptops, typically do not provide much power. Therefore, charging to full battery will likely take several hours compared to a much shorter period of time with wall charging.
Even if you have no other choice beyond juicing your battery with your computer, there are tools available that claim to rapidly speed up the process of USB charging. A great example is the ChargeDr Pro device that plugs right into a USB port and supports connections from all types of smartphones.
A lesser known trick for speed charging via USB is using a Y cable that features two male USB plugs and a smartphone connector that fits your phone's charging port. With this cord, you can plug the two USB connectors into two ports simultaneously and receive double the charging power for one device.
It's worth it to note that Apple also includes special charging optimization in its iMacs and Macbooks for mobile Apple devices.
Sometimes, even a wall charger just isn't fast enough when you need power within minutes. In this case, you can utilize specially made charging adapters that are designed to quickly draw power. Samsung has a fast charger known as the "Fast Charging Pad," and even HTC carries a device called the "Rapid Charger."
It's important to mention that rapid chargers work best when charging between the 0-50% range as opposed to the 50-100% range. The longer a battery charges, the hotter the associated device will become. With this, there is a heightened risk of damage and injury. For your own safety and that of your device, fast chargers also tend to slow their charging speeds when batteries are near full.
Related: Android battery dies fast and how to fix it
Many people use external charging packs to provide extra boosts to their mobile devices when outlets aren't anywhere to be found. Simply charge the battery pack while at home, and then take it with you wherever you go. When your phone is low on battery, you can simply plug it into the battery pack to charge it using the pack's stored power.
Even certain types of smartphone cases can now provide charging capabilities. Luckily, you can even get this new technology at a relatively affordable price. Lower end charging cases can cost anywhere from $20 to $40, while higher scale charging cases will run as high as $100. The price will heavily depend on your phone type, the case brand, and how much power the case can store.
Keep in mind these cases don't particularly boost the charging process, but they will definitely keep you from running out of battery quickly while on the go.
Of course, it probably seems difficult to imagine going even ten minutes without checking your smartphone, but turning your cell phone off while it draws juice from the charger is easily the fastest way to go from 0 to 100%. As your phone draws power, even while turned off, there will be nothing running to hinder the charging process.
There's no doubt this list is packed with lots of ideas for boosting your cell phone's battery in a short period of time, but it's highly recommended you don't make a habit out of using any of them.
Simply put, rapid and irregular charging methods can cause harm to your phone over time. It's best to make a habit out of strategically charging your device the old-fashioned way rather than making up for lost time with rapid chargers and battery packs on a regular basis. This way, you retain your phone's quality over time, and its battery life stays healthy for years.
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